Nags Head Inn & Restaurant

London Road,
GREAT MISSENDEN,
HP16 0DG

Dating from the 15th century, the Nags Head is now a stylishly modernised gastro-pub. Contemporary Anglo-French cuisine is the attraction, with the kitchen adding its own endlessly inventive - and totally persuasive - touches to dishes. Starters have taken in shrimp eggs Benedict on pea polenta, and duck liver parfait with pear chutney. Ever successful main courses follow a similar route, among them breast of guinea fowl with courgette and pepper purée and grape and brandy jus, and halibut meunière with smoked swordfish shavings and beetroot and pea beurre blanc. To end, pannacotta ice cream adds a diverting accompaniment to apple and rhubarb tart.